Jane Stroud has started work as Kiama Council’s Chief Executive Officer (formerly known as the General Manager).

“While financial sustainability is my number one priority, I’d have to say it is followed closely by making a positive difference for our organisation and the staff here and really helping add some value to the work that we do for the community,” she says.

Ms Stroud has already started visiting all of Council’s worksites to meet as many staff as she can in person, and is working closely with the executive management team to get to know the organisation and its projects.

“I want to get out and about and meet our people first and foremost,” she says.

“Our staff are part of the community as well as serving the community, and it is important that we are able and confident to do our jobs working in a really supportive team environment.

“Then I would really like to engage with the broader business sector and the local community through visiting the precinct groups.

“For me this whole first month is about listening, understanding and getting to know people and Kiama.

“I don’t want to rush to make decisions and try to fix everything. People need me to listen to them first, to hear what they need and then to work with them to find a solution.”

This action plan fits in with her assessment of what residents can expect from her.

“I’m a very collaborative kind of person,” she says.

“I am quite energetic; and I enjoy working with people.

“I would say the community can expect exactly the same thing the organisation will get from me: which is commitment, honesty and a good deal of hard work.”

Mayor Mark Honey has warmly welcomed Ms Stroud to her new role

With a planning background, she has a passion for social planning and community engagement, and the desire to help the LGA negotiate the development challenges it faces.

According to the Planning Institute of Australia, social planning involves planning for the needs and aspirations of people and communities through strategic policy and action, integrated with urban, regional and other planning activity. It is founded on the principles of social justice and aims to enhance community well being and effectiveness.

“Bombo Quarry is an incredible, once in a lifetime opportunity,” says Ms Stroud.

“It’s the perfect time to stop, think, look around, see how other people have done it and advocate for what’s right for your community.”

She comes from a role as Director Sustainable Development at the Southern Downs Regional Council in Queensland’s Darling Downs, where she focused on economic development and innovation, with agriculture a prime focus.

“I have enormous respect for our agricultural sector,” she says.

“I think they do an incredible job and sometimes I think we forget how important they are.

“The green rolling hills are as vital as to our future as our iconic coastline.”

After the September election, Ms Stroud is looking forward to the consultative process that is undertaken to create its new plans for the next three years (rather than the usual four).

“It’s incredibly important to me that it’s done in partnership with the community because we are public servants, and our job is to work for you.”

While there are many similarities between the Queensland and NSW local government governing legislation, there are some differences – particularly in planning.

“I’m busy learning,” she says.

“There is significant planning reform being undertaken at the moment and I’m really having a look at how statutory planning fits with DA assessment and the role of local government in that space. I am very interested to see how that pans out.”

Ms Stroud hadn’t been to Kiama before her interviews, but loves what she has seen and is looking forward to being part of the community with her husband and six year old twins, a boy and girl.

“They are full of beans, so they aren’t here at the moment but will come down in about three weeks to start school in the new term,” says Ms Stroud.